Friday, July 29, 2011

I went to see my GP today. I really like him, but I know he thinks I'm a hypochondriac. He is a friend....and honestly he's a really nice guy. He is never rude to me or anything, but he has always made it pretty clear that he believes I *am* healthy and that I would feel much better if I were to be less stressed, exercise more, etc.

I went in today because for the past few weeks, I have felt something below my ribcage on the left side. It doesn't hurt, it just feels a little uncomfortable. I compare it to being 9 months pregnant and having a little baby foot positioned there. It's weird.

Plus, I figured I would mention the vertigo, fingernail changes, consistent low-grade fever (as opposed to just a few times a week), and the lovely yeast infection I am enjoying. (ha!ha!)

He did that little finger tap thing all around my belly and said I was full of gas. He demonstrated the difference in sound when he tapped my liver, my lungs, then my stomach. He believes that could be what I'm feeling. My stomach being full of gas like that would press up on my diaphragm. To make sure, though, I had some blood work done. He said he will call me tomorrow with the results.

Meanwhile, I'm on diflucan for 7 days and he wants me to try to go off (or at least cut back) the adderall. I am supposed to relax and see if I feel better.

We shall see. I'm still confused, but seriously starting to wonder if I've been making myself sicker than I really am. I mean...no tests have shown anything wrong with me. Am I crazy? Too much of a stress case?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

I've written a couple of posts on my iPad this summer and none of them seem to be actually publishing (or even being saved as a draft!). Ugh. That's annoying.

Not much new here. Still not feeling well. Still having some tremors and a little vertigo. It's only mildly annoying. At my rheumy appt, nothing was changed. I'm off the stupid Lyrica (never did much-if anything-anyway) He only talks about fibromyalgia now. Funny because I truly don't think I have that. (but what do I know?)

I tried to go back to my Infectious Diseases doctor because I wanted to have her run a Western Blot test for Lyme Disease. My very first rheumatologist ran a C6 Peptide on me back in October of 09 and it was negative at .41. I never had this doctor run one, because I just trusted the other test. I've since learned that there are a TON of false negatives on that test, so I figured I should try a different test that tends to be more specific and accurate. Well....she won't let me come in for blood work. She said that they are "not accepting new LYME'S patients" at this time. Ummm...wth? Seriously? I have not been diagnosed with Lyme yet and I am an established patient. How could she do that?? Obviously, she is afraid of the LD controversy and wants to stay as far away as possible. ARG!

I'm scheduled to see a LLMD (lyme literate medical doctor) at the end of October. We don't have any of those here in Texas, so I have to go to Missouri to be seen. Insurance doesn't cover it, either. I'm a little frustrated because it's not fair that people aren't getting treated for Chronic Lyme properly, doctors don't believe in it, and therefore those people that DO indeed have LD are going longer and longer without proper treatment and they just get more and more sick as time passes. It's so unnecessary.

Then I start worrying about the other side being true. It's not a scam, is it? I mean...I don't want to have to pay tons of money to see a doctor in another state, but I really think LD is a possibility based upon my symptoms. I don't want to be on antibiotics for months and months (not to mention the supplements, etc). BUT I *DO* want to feel better and I *DO* want my life back.

It's hard for me to type much because I have terrible concentration these days, but this journal is important because I need to keep track of my symptoms, treatments, and meds and my memory SUCKS now. It's rather scary, actually.

Well, I promise to update sooner. Hope you are all feeling well and having a nice summer! :)
xoxo,
Beth

Invisible, but DEFINITELY there...

Looking For Answers

This blog is an attempt, on my part, to find answers about what is causing my health problems. I am going to keep track of symptoms, triggers, etc. in hopes that maybe something will show up as the culprit. I hate having pain every day of my life. I hate fatigue. I hate canker sores on my tongue that hurt SO badly! I hate migraines. I hate not feeling well enough to go out and do things.

I want my life back!

Please follow me and feel free to say "hi" anytime! I look forward to meeting others who have been where I am and those that haven't as well.